Two groups of lawyers on Wednesday scuffled within the Patiala House court complex here while supporting or opposing students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who have been booked on the charge of raising anti-India slogans.

The showdown took place in the court premises before JNU Students Union leader Kanhaiya Kumar was to be presented in a court for hearing of the sedition case registered against him. Kumar’s police custody ends on Wednesday.

A section of lawyers carrying Indian flags shouted slogans like ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ and ‘JNU murdabad’. They also shouted slogans against the JNU and demanded shutting down of the premier educational institution, terming it “anti-national”.

The lawyers also allegedly manhandled photo-journalist Sameer Yasik, of the Firstpost news organisation, and another, who were covering the protests. View pictures of the lawyers here .

NDTV reported that 200 lawyers were shouting slogans, while Kumar was injured after he was “dragged, kicked and slapped” by lawyers.

On the other hand, a group of lawyers protesting against Kanhaiya Kumar’s arrest demanded his immediate release.

Kumar was arrested after anti-India slogans were raised at an event held on the JNU campus to commemorate parliament attack convict Afzal Guru’s execution on 9 February.